Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-04

Of the Prudential Committee. NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, March 30, 1887. General S. E. Merwin, President, William H Carmalt, Chairman of Prudential Com mittes of the General Hospital of Con necticut:
 ! Gentlemen-The board of visitors of the State hospital at meeting held on March 5 1887, received communication from you 1T your official capacities calling their attention | to certain rumors and newspaper reports con cerning autopsies at the hospital, and sug | gesting that the said board of visitors repre- | seating the patrons and public opinion should make thorough investigation of the afore- | said rumors and reports. Accordingly 6 \ committee of the board of visitors were | directed to issue a public announcement | through the press of a meeting of the said board of visitors at the City Hall on March | 18th, 1887, at 5 o'clock p. m., to hear any and ! all complaints and complainants in the mat | ter named in your communication. At the | appointed time the board of visitors met in | rooms Il and 12 in the City Hall, Hon. c. B. Bowers, chairman of the board, presiding. | All persons having complaints were invited to draw near and make full and explicit statements as to any alleged grievances con- cerning autopsies. at the hospital. Only one complainant appeared, MT. Adams. A full and patient hearing was given to him, and then the hospital authorities were invited to present u cir views in the case. After 8 thorough investigation of the case, eliciting all the facts and statements that were attain able, the board of visitors respectfully beg leave to report as follows:
 Firstly-That in the case of the complain ant Adams we find that the body of his son not delivered to the father when he de- manded because the accident had presum- ably superinduced his Sudden and untimely" death, brought his demise under the provis- ion of a coroners inquest, disregard of which proposed inquiry by permitting the removal of the body before the inquest could be held might have rendered the hospital authorities liable to legal prosecution. The coroner tes- tilted that he ordered the inquest on the rec ommendation of the medical examiner as prescribed by law, and thereby assumed the whole responsibility for the autopsy. We find the hospital authorities blameless in this case, since their authority was super seded by the law and the action of the cor oner. The board of visitors would also re- port that they have investigated the case of one MT. Carey, prominently referred to by the public press. We found indublt- able evidence, ready to be substan- pital authorities had the requisite and lawful permission for the autopsy in this case and therefore are unblamable.
 Secondly-Exhaustiv inquiry into the rules and customs prevailing concerning au- topsies in the hospital developed the follow NSAS ner's inquest the hospital authorities have no power; the law of the State steps in and makes the autopsy mandatory. 2. In those cases of decease where there are kindred or responsible friends known to the superin- tendent they are invariably and immediately notified by him in the most expeditions manner of the death of their friend. If the next of kin or responsible friend ap- pears, in person or by letter, and declines to permit an autopsy when requested by the medical staff, the wishes of kindred are al ways respected and no autopsy is permitted. 3. In those cases of death where no kindred are known to exist, or if known, neglect to appear and claim the body after due notifca- tion, then the pathologist of the hospital is empowered to determine whether or not an autopsy shall be held. 4. As an additional guarantee that the wishes of kindred will be sacredly respected in the future, and the hospital authorities may be defended from irresponsible and baseless smisrepresentations, a printed form has been prepared which must be filled out by the superintendent in every autopsy sanctioned by the next of kin, giving the name of the deceased and the name of the kinsman or responsible party authorizing the autopsy. These records will be kept on file for the inspection of all con- cerned; by the faithful enforcement of this new regulation the patrons and friends of the hospital will be assured that no unauthor- ized autopsies will be hereafter allowed. This board feel that it is of the utmost importance that the hospital shall have the full confidence of the community, and especially of those who most needful of it's benefcent minis trations as we'll as of those whose contribu- tions are necessary to its effectual support; and in furtherance of this confidence this board most decidedly approve the regula- tions above recited and beg leave to recon mend to the board of directors the adoption of any measures in the premises that in your wisdom may tend to promote and challenge the unquestiened confidence and good will of the public.
 Thirdly-The board of visitors are gratiied to be able to report that their investigations have disclosed no evidence to prove that the and medical staff of this hos pital do not intend that due respect to the wishes of kindred shall be sacredly observed, and that humane, discreet and conscien- tious spirit shall pervade the administration of the responsible and often delicate trust committed to them.
 We are, gentlemen, most respectfully
 Your obedient servants,
 c. B. BOWERS, J. O. PECK,
 E. B. BRADLEY. MAX ADLER,
 c. K. WooDCoCK, PATRICK MAYER,
 Board of visitors